Hearing loss Board decisions

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for left ear hearing loss and finds that new evidence received since the last denial raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the underlying claim. The Board also finds that the Veteran's current diagnosis of left ear hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be due to service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition. The issues of higher initial rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for numb fingers are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and evaluation of his condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the appellant's current bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and skin disorder (claimed as jungle rot) are all as likely as not related to service exposure. Therefore, these conditions have been granted service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have a right knee disability in service and that it did not manifest within one year of separation. The Board also determined there was no evidence linking the current right knee disability to service or to his left foot disability, which is already service-connected. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a right knee disability secondary to a left foot disability was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss is not related to military service and denied her claim for service connection. For the residuals of hysterectomy, the Board determined there was no evidence of negligence or fault on the part of VA medical personnel in providing treatment, thus denying her claim under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board found that the Veteran's current hearing loss disability did not have onset during active service or within one year of separation for active service and is not otherwise etiologically related to his active service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased evaluation of shrapnel fragment wound, service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, bilateral peripheral neuropathy, and low back disorder. The decision also noted that the Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for various issues related to his bilateral hearing loss and duodenal deformity with associated hypermotility. The claims were not granted, including those seeking higher ratings or earlier effective dates.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no competent evidence showing these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss disability and hemorrhoids were not related to service, as there was no evidence of such disabilities during or within one year after service. The Veteran did not have continuing symptoms post-service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine if his current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was found to be at a level of 20 percent for the period between April 10, 2006 and October 20, 2008. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded due to the need for further development, including an examination.

The Board found no evidence of a current hearing loss disability in the left ear as defined by VA regulations, and thus denied service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. The Veteran's tinnitus was also not shown to be related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, cataracts, hearing loss, post-surgical bilateral pseudoaphakia, cystoid macular edema of the left eye, arthritis, chronic bronchitis, and allergic rhinitis. The reasons were that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease for these conditions.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to service, with noise exposure during combat. The claims for service connection are granted.